Please feel free to copy and share all of our materials

First Grade to Preteen, All About Thankfulness

1.

Create a tree of thankfulness by first finding people who are willing to donate empty planting pots. They don't have to be fancy the children can decorate them with nearly anything, then find some tree branches that resemble small trees. You can "plant" them in the pots using simple stones. Make a pattern for leaves out of construction paper using red, orange, yellow and brown. Allow the children to write what they are thankful for on the leaves or you may need to assist them depending on their age. Use a single hole punch to make a hole in the stem portion of the leaf and attach to tree limbs using yarn and paper clips. You have created a heart warming gift that can make everyone young and old appreciate all of life's little blessings.

(Special Thanks to Wendy Dodson from Va. for this great activity)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2.

I taught a lesson in my preschool class in which I taught about things in life that Jesus gives us. I took small paper plates (desert size) and took contruction paper , I cut large petals out of the construction paper and had each child write on the petals the things they were thankful for. In the center of the plate I wrote the word JESUS gives me....... in the center of the plate and glued the petals around the plate to make a flower, you can also glue a green pipe cleaner to make the flower appear to have a stem. This was a neat project and the kids enjoyed it. Each child's flower was different, because each child had different things in their life that they were thankful for.

(Special Thanks to Elaine Turner from Tennessee for this great activity)